Tuesday 21 April 2015

Odylique Superfruit Concentrate

About this time last year I received a sample of Odylique Organic Superfruit Concentrate in  Love Lula beauty box. It didn't take me very long to buy the full size, but for some reason I haven't reviewed it. Shame on me.
 
Odylique are a brand that I really respect. They remain a family owned company who produce their products by hand. Their formulas aren't overly complicated, with organic ingredients carefully chosen for their therapeutic effect. Odylique developed as a result of Margaret's desire to improve her family's eczema, so those with sensitive skin can rest assured that they are indeed in safe hands.
 
Superfruit Concentrate is made with just six organic ingredients; cold pressed oils of jojoba and avocado, and extracts of pomegranate, rosehip, seabuckthorn fruit and rosemary. I often look for products with seabuckthorn, rosehip or avocado oils as I know that my skin loves them, so it is no surprise that I am very impressed by this serum.
 
In terms of texture this feels more like a light oil than a serum, and  it absorbs very easily. Despite it's lightness, this is a really nourishing product. It's simple composition belies a real powerhouse of a formula. It is full of antioxidants and fatty acids, making it a great choice for dry or mature skins. It took me a little while to remember to apply it after my moisturiser rather than before, but I really can't fault it's performance. It helps lock in your moisturiser, making it work just that little bit harder. For my dry skin, this suits my needs perfectly - especially over the cooler month. My skin has definitely looked brighter and healthier for using this. 
 
 Persea gratissima fruit oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Rosa canina fruit extract, Punica granatum seed extract, Hippophae rhamnoides fruit extract, Rosmarinus officinalis extract

Tuesday 14 April 2015

Rahua Shampoo and Conditioner

Hair care is one of the things that I have struggled with most when trying to find cleaner alternatives. I have always been curious to try the ultra luxurious brand Rahua, but was nervous of paying the full price for something that might not meet my needs. I quickly snapped up the sampler box from Naturisimo and thought I would run through my thoughts on the shampoo and conditioner.
 
Rahua Shampoo is a very gentle and nourishing shampoo. It's formula is designed to strengthen weak and damaged hair as well as regenerating the scalp and hair follicles. It removes dirt without stripping nutrients or colour pigmentation, making this a good choice for those who colour their hair.
 
Unfortunately for my fine, oily hair it is much too gentle for me. Even after doing a double shampoo, my hair was still a little greasy. I only used this a couple of times before writing it off as a loss. I think that if my hair was thicker or drier, I would probably have had better results, but this is sadly not the right product for me. I also wasn't very fond of the fragrance. I don't quite know how to describe it other than I don't like it
 
 aqua, camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract*, rosmarius officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract*, rubus idaeus (raspberry) leaf extract*, aloe barbadensis leaf extract*, coco betaine, sea salt, glycerin, saccharum officinarum (molasses) extract, glycine, caprylic acid, oenocarpus bataua (rahua, ungurahua) oil, potassium sorbate (plant derived), busera graveolens (palo santo) oil, citric acid, panthenol, hydrolyzed quinoa, tocopherol (Vitamin E).
 
Rahua Conditioner can be used as either a conditioner or as a styling cream. I have  to say I didn't bother trying it as a styling cream, as I know that my fine hair can't cope with this kind of product. It has the same aroma as the shampoo, although I found the conditioner to have the stronger fragrance.
 
Despite the fragrance I had better luck with the conditioner. It's formula leaves hair soft and manageable and protects and fortifies damaged hair. I only ever put conditioner on the ends of my hair, so I can't comment on it's performance on the scalp. I was pleased with how soft and tangle free it left my hair. It also didn't weigh my hair down like a lot of conditioners have done in the past, and I haven't needed to use any hair serum to top up moisture levels. I found that I only needed to use a small amount, so the bottle has lasted me a month of daily hair washing.
 
Aqua, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract*, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf Extract*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Colza oil), Stearalkonium Chloride (plant derived), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Saccharum Officinarum (Molasses) Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Oenocarpus Bataua (Rahua, Ungurahua) Oil, Bursera Graveolens (Palo Santo) Oil, Lecithin, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Potassium Sorbate (plant derived), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Panthenol, Citric Acid.
 
I am pleased to have been able to try the shampoo and conditioner out at a reduced price as unfortunately I would not buy the full size of either. The shampoo is simply the wrong product for my hair type, whilst the combination of the price and the fragrance puts me off the conditioner. If I am going to splurge on a product, I want it to knock my socks off. I didn't get that feeling

Monday 6 April 2015

Empties March 2015

March has been one of those months where I seem to have been unable to organise myself very well, hence the very late posting of my March Empties. 
I am a huge fan of Aromatherapy Associates. Their products undoubtedly fall into the luxury department, and I think they are worth every penny. De-Stress Muscle Bath & Shower Oil is a comforting blend of lavender, rosemary, black pepper and ginger. It is wonderful for soothing achy muscles and I have enjoyed every last drop of this. I have quite a stash of their bath oils to use, but will definitely buy this again.
 
I bought this little sample of Lucy Annabella's Organic Treatment Oil with Argan & Bergamot from the samples selection at  Naturisimo. This is a gorgeous oil, that is so uplifting. It leaves the skin lovely and soft. Full size is on the wish list.
 
Weleda Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash is a repeat purchase. This is my favourite body wash by Weleda. I love the bright, citrus fragrance. I have another of these waiting to be used.
 
Ylang Ylang Incensa Bath & Shower Therapy by Bodhi & Birch is another well loved product. I find this a very calming and grounding fragrance and particularly enjoy this if I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed. I have a full size of this for now, but will repurchase this.
 
AFYNA Organic Detoxifying Body Lotion is another citrus based product. It would appear that I am very obsessed with all things citrus this month. I was really impressed with how light this body lotion is and how long my little sample lasted me. I liked this a lot.
Mu London is another favourite product. I reviewed the Rose, Rosehip & Rosemary Moisturiser earlier in the month here and loved it. I have the Hemp moisturiser to try next.
 
Brit Beauty Oil by Skin & Tonic. I love this oil. It is feather light and sinks into the skin. Simple, clean ingredients that just work. Skin & Tonic have quickly become one of my favourite brands. I have the full size of this already.
 
I also reviewed the tester set from Suti earlier in the month here, so won't say too much again. The stand out products for me are the Cleanse balm and the Rejuvenate Face Oil.
 
My final item is something sent to me by the lovely Annie when we did our beauty swap. I loved this Ameretto lip balm by Crazy Rumors. I always have feel a real sense of achievement when I finish a lip balm. I will buy these again, so thank you Annie for introducing me to them.
 
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